Run #7: Becoming a Morning Runner

Last night we were supposed to run 3 miles. That turned into both of us making a foray into morning running with a 2 miler this morning instead.

Last night Mihkel's brother came over to help with an errand. After that was done I decided to make cookies (these were delicious, by the way..and low-fat!). And then I remembered that I had a bottle of Proseco chilling in the wine fridge that was waiting for me. So, all these things combined convinced us to blow off our evening run and plan to run in the morning.

Mihkel was a little skeptical, but we still managed to fall into our running shoes by 5:45 to get out the door. We decided to take the hilly route again since the park was closed we love a challenge. Heres what our splits looked like:

Ignore the last two weird things....I was tired and it was early.

How can you say no?

Overall, not too bad. We took Uschi so a little of that time was waiting for her to answer nature's call and also to divert to run through all the tall grass she could. We surmised the morning dew works like undercarriage cleaner on her.

So, we learned a few things from our morning run. 1) We are both way too awake after and have no idea what to do with ourselves til it's time to go to work. 2) It makes you feel like a badass. 3) The weather is amazing. 4) The delicious and fiber-laden meal you had the night before will sneak up on you before you know what's happened. (This was also delicious.)

Tomorrow is our second long run of 7 miles so look for Mihkel's update on that. He's a bit skeptical on the morning running thing, but I'm dedicated to convincing him that it is a good idea. Or at least it will be once we get the logistics worked out.

Happy running to you all!
Melissa

Run #5, Accidental Hillwork: 356 feet in 3 miles.

It's the start of week 2. 1 week down, 17 to go til we pound the pavement for 26 miles.

When looking at a week, I have quickly learned to compartmentalize things into short runs and long runs. I have to say one of our favorite topics of conversation on runs is future runs and planning.

This week we have 3 short runs, all 3 miles, and then our long run this weekend is 7.
Of course we want to challenge ourselves as we train to improve speed, endurance, mental fatigue, etc. So we usually choose one short run to change it up a bit, by doing speed work, hill work, fartlek (I know, I was confused at first as well), or a hard cross training. But after a hard week shaking off the dust, we wanted to come into the week slow and then do a speed work tomorrow, then go slow before our long run.

And what did we do today? Had an accidental hill work.
Know your topography!Hill work is the strength training of running. Greater intensity, more muscle work, and a change up in footfall. Its a great work out, but a challenge. But we are all in this for just that right? A challenge? If it were easy, then way more then 0.1% of the world would run marathons...

But as my favorite running partner says "What hurts on this run, will be easier the next time you do it" Even if her quads hate me right now...

I had a blast on those hills. It may have been slow, but it was a blast and felt so good at the end.

See you all on the roads!
-Mihkel